Cratonic Regions Research Articles

Carboniferous fusuline Foraminifera: taxonomy, regional biostratigraphy, and palaeobiogeographic faunal development

Abstract This paper proposes a synthesis of the taxonomy, phylogeny, palaeogeographic distribution, regional biostratigraphy, and palaeobiogeographic faunal development of Carboniferous fusuline foraminifers. They appeared in the latest Tournaisian and comprised a small-sized, morphologically conservative taxonomic group during the Mississippian. Fusulines became larger and prevailed in Pennsylvanian foraminiferal assemblages. Carboniferous fusulines consist of Ozawainellidae, Staffellidae, Schubertellidae, Fusulinidae, and Schwagerinidae, in which 95 genera are considered as valid taxonomically. Upsizing their shells throughout the Pennsylvanian is likely related to symbiosis with photosynthetic microorganisms, which was accelerated by the acquisition of a keriothecal wall in Late Pennsylvanian schwagerinids. Regional fusuline succession data from 40 provinces provide a refined biostratigraphy, enabling zonation and correlation with substage- or higher-resolution precision in the Pennsylvanian. Their spatio-temporal faunal characteristics show that fusulines had a cosmopolitan palaeobiogeographic signature in Mississippian time, suggesting unrestricted faunal exchange through the palaeoequatorial Rheic Ocean. After the formation of Pangaea, Pennsylvanian fusulines started to show provincialism, and their distributions defined the Ural–Arctic Region in the Boreal Realm, Palaeotethys, Panthalassa, and North American Craton regions in the Palaeoequatorial Realm, and Western Gondwana and Eastern Peri-Gondwana regions in the Gondwana Realm. The Western Palaeotethys and East European Platform Subregions maintained higher generic diversity throughout the Pennsylvanian.

The initiation of the Mesoproterozoic Bylot basins (Nunavut, Arctic Canada) as recorded in the Nyeboe Formation, Fury and Hecla Group

ABSTRACT Reconstructing Precambrian sedimentary environments over broad cratonic regions often relies on a combination of facies, structural, and provenance analyses. The Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1270–1090 Ma) Fury and Hecla Group, exposed on the Melville Peninsula and northern Baffin Island (Nunavut, Canada), is considered broadly correlative with strata of the Borden, Hunting–Aston, and Thule basins (together referred to as the Bylot basins). We present the results of updated mapping and the first high-resolution sedimentologic and stratigraphic analysis of the lowermost unit in the Fury and Hecla Group, the Nyeboe Formation. The Nyeboe Formation comprises five distinct facies associations: alluvial to fluvial, eolian-backshore, marine-intertidal, marine foreshore to shoreface, and marine-offshore. Thin mafic units are interbedded within the marine shoreface facies and are interpreted to represent volcanic flows. Lateral relationships between facies associations are complex, but generally, facies associations transition from a terrestrial environment at the base to a nearshore marine environment at the top, indicating a transgression. Considering both the along-strike and -dip thickness trends, the presence of mafic volcanic rock units, and possible syndepositional fault orientations crosscutting the deposits, we infer that the Fury and Hecla Group was deposited in a regime of crustal thinning in a half-graben setting. Our results from the Nyeboe Formation suggest a lithostratigraphic correlation to the Nauyat and Adams Sound formations of the Borden Basin. Therefore, this study establishes a geodynamic link between the opening of the Fury and Hecla Basin to the other Bylot basins and contributes to the understanding of a large late Mesoproterozoic intracontinental-basin system.

Mapping the Thermal Structure of Southern Africa From Curie Depth Estimates Based on Wavelet Analysis of Magnetic Data With Uncertainties

AbstractSurface heat flow provides essential information on the thermal state and thickness of the lithosphere. Southern Africa is a mosaic of the best‐preserved and exposed crustal blocks, assembled in the early late Archean and then modified by a series of major tectono‐thermal events, both of Precambrian and Phanerozoic. Understanding the thermal and compositional structure of the southern African lithosphere provides crucial information for the actual causes, processes of lithospheric stability, and modification. Curie depth, interpreted as the depth to 580°C, provides a valuable constraint on the thermal structure of the lithosphere. Due to the sparse distribution of surface heat flow data, we examine the degree to which the thermal structure of the crust can be constrained from Curie depth estimates in southern Africa. We provide a Curie depth map for southern Africa (obtained from the inversion of magnetic anomaly data via power spectral methods and wavelet analysis) alongside with a heat flow map (based on the previous Curie depth estimates), both equipped with uncertainties via a Bayesian approach. Opposed to other cratonic regions, the observation of a shallow Curie depths and low heat flow over the Kaapvaal Craton suggests a thermochemical reworking of the cratonic lithosphere in this region. Furthermore, a comparison with a model for the Moho depth reveals significant variations of the Curie depth, which may be located below or above the Moho in large regions. Both observations indicate that in certain regions magnetic anomaly based Curie depth estimates may reflect a compositional rather than a temperature controlled constraint.

Petrogenesis of Kaapvaal lamproites (aka orangeites) constrained by the composition of olivine and similarities with kimberlites and other diamondiferous lamproites

Kaapvaal lamproites, also known as orangeites, are H2O-rich, diamondiferous, highly micaceous, ultrapotassic rocks. Olivines in kimberlites have been shown to be extremely useful in tracking melt evolution, highlighting the importance of the chemical effects of SCLM assimilation on asthenosphere-derived melts. Kaapvaal lamproites are derived from melting metasomatised SCLM and may be expected to form an endmember to the asthenosphere melt-SCLM trend defined by kimberlites. In this contribution, we use olivine composition in Kaapvaal lamproites to further understand melt evolution in the SCLM and assess the similarity between Kaapvaal lamproite, other diamondiferous lamproites, and kimberlite petrogenesis in cratonic regions.We present olivine composition for representative on- and off-craton Kaapvaal lamproites from Finsch and Melton Wold, respectively. Olivines from these Kaapvaal lamproites are characterized by distinct core and rim zones, regardless of the size of individual grains. Polycrystalline grains are abundant at Finsch but relatively rare at Melton Wold. The olivine cores from both occurrences are predominantly Mg-rich (Fo>89) whereas Fe-rich cores (Fo<89) are rare. Mg-rich cores are interpreted to be derived from the disaggregation of mantle peridotites, including sheared peridotites, whereas Fe-rich cores are derived from olivines of the Cr-poor megacryst suite. The average Fo and NiO concentrations of the Melton Wold cores are lower than Finsch cores, likely related to less refractory off-craton mantle. The olivine rims at Finsch and Melton Wold are characterized by reverse zoning with ranges of Fo89-92 and Fo90-91, respectively. The rims are interpreted to represent crystallisation related to a complex interplay between increasing oxidation, assimilation of orthopyroxene, and increasing alkali content of the melt during evolution.The average core and rim compositions of Finsch and Melton Wold, in conjunction with data from diamondiferous lamproites of other cratonic regions, define a broad positive correlation. Kaapvaal lamproites have Mg-rich core and rim compositions, similar to that of Lac de Gras kimberlites, and interpreted to reflect sampling and equilibration of low volume Kaapvaal lamproite melt with refractory mantle. In contrast to Lac de Gras kimberlites, Kaapvaal lamproites have high abundances of groundmass phlogopite that reflect metasomatic material in the SCLM source, likely present as veins within refractory peridotite. This suggests that increasing proportions of melt-metasomatised SCLM interactions are not always linked with increasing Fe content of melts.We show that the petrogenesis of Kaapvaal lamproites is similar to that of kimberlites and lamproites from other cratonic regions, however, the high abundance of phlogopite and Fo-rich olivine rims suggest a distinct metasomatic lithology in the source and that olivine composition; i.e., a proxy for melt composition, may be strongly controlled by melt volume during melt-SCLM interactions.

The origin of high helium concentrations in the gas fields of southwestern Tanzania

Volatile elements are concentrated at Earth's surface, forming a rich atmosphere and oceans which enabled the eventual emergence of life. However, volatiles are also abundant in solid Earth reservoirs, such as the crust and mantle, and these reservoirs play a key role in moderating volatile movement throughout the planet. Continental cratons represent a potentially large, yet under-constrained volatile reservoir. When cratonic regions are catastrophically disrupted by large volcanic and/or rifting events, they release massive amounts of volatiles into Earth's atmosphere on geologically-abrupt timescales (e.g., Lowenstern et al., 2014; Muirhead et al., 2020). Here, we report gas data (He-Ne-N2-Ar-CO2) from seeps along the flanks of the Tanzanian craton, within the western branch of the East African Rift System (EARS) - a region where the stable continental craton is actively being broken apart by rifting and simultaneously heated by plume-induced volcanism. Bulk gas and noble gas isotopic data are reported in seeps from three regions: 1) the Rukwa Rift Basin (RRB), 2) the Lupa Hydrothermal System (LHS) and 3) the Rungwe Volcanic Province (RVP). Seep gases from the RRB are dominantly comprised of N2 and He, with >90% N2 concentrations, high 4He concentrations (2.4–6.9%) and radiogenic He isotopes (0.16–0.20 RA). Seeps in the LHS - located between RRB and RVP - are characterized by little-to-no N2, high CO2 contents (72–84%), relatively low He contents (0.008–0.15%), and higher 3He/4He (0.95–0.99 RA). RVP gases have high CO2 (78%) and low 4He (0.0003%) and more mantle-like He isotopes (3.27–4.00 RA) consistent with previous findings (Pik et al., 2006; Barry et al., 2013). All neon isotopes can be explained by mixing between air, high O/F crust and depleted Mid Oceanic Ridge Basalt (MORB) mantle-like signatures. RVP neon isotope seep data potentially suggest a solar-like deep mantle contribution, consistent with findings in rocks from the area (Halldórsson et al., 2014), however we note that this signal is difficult to discern from mass dependent fractionation (MDF). The largest 40Ar/36Ar anomalies occur in RRB, with resolvable excess 40Ar derived from radiogenic production in the crust. Using a noble gas solubility model, we calculate volumetric gas to water ratios (Vg/Vw) and show that Vg/Vw values are low for RRB (0.1), consistent with longer migration distances, whereas Vg/Vw are higher for LHS (Vg/Vw = 0.1–10) and RVP (Vg/Vw = 3–12), suggesting a more direct conduit for volatiles from source to surface. In summary, these data demonstrate interaction between two distinct helium sources, one of which is crustal in origin (most prominent in RRB) and the other being mantle-derived (enriched in RVP). The extent of mixing between the two is shown to be influenced by proximity to rift-related fault structures, groundwater interaction and magmatic heat.

Iron Sulfides and Anomalous Electrical Resistivity in Cratonic Environments

AbstractThe interpretation of low‐resistivity anomalies in the lithospheric mantle of several cratonic regions has invoked hydrogen, or connected networks of graphite with iron‐rich silicates, and/or metal sulfides. Electrical laboratory measurements are a powerful approach for exploring these alternatives. We report electrical measurements of two xenoliths (pyroxenite and dunite) from Tanzania; two metal sulfides (FeS and Fe‐S‐Ni); and several mixtures of metal sulfides (3.4–18.2 vol.%) with xenolith. A multi‐anvil press was employed to maintain a 2 GPa pressure and temperatures up to 1,627 K. The addition of 3.4 vol.% FeS to the pyroxenite or dunite matrix has little effect on bulk resistivity, particularly for T &gt; 800 K. However, the resistivity drops dramatically–by factors of up to 1,000, depending on temperature–upon addition of 6.5 vol.% FeS in the dunite. Addition of 18.2% FeS causes a further decrease of the same magnitude relative to the 6.5% sample. Scanning electron microscope images do not reveal the formation of a connected FeS network as part of the decreased resistivity. Possible explanations for the apparently conflicting results include connections of the sulfide that are not imaged in the back‐scattered images, either because of limited resolution, or perhaps the inherent limitations of the 2‐D perspective. The complete data set (xenoliths, metal sulfides, and mixtures) was modeled with a modified version of Archie's law, and we find satisfactory agreement over a truncated temperature range. We conclude that the low‐resistivity anomalies in Tanzania, Kaapvaal, and Gawler cratons can be explained by the presence of a few vol.% of solid sulfide.

Paleozoic Paraná Basin transition from collisional retro-foreland to pericratonic syneclise: Implications on the geodynamic model of Gondwana proto-Andean margin

Providing significant advancements in the knowledge and development of the global plate tectonic theory, the Paraná Basin records a long period of sedimentary accumulation with evidence of substantial climatic and bio-stratigraphic changes throughout most all of the Phanerozoic. Two cycles of sedimentation are identified in the lowermost sequences (Rio Ivaí and Paraná groups), followed by a ~50 Ma gap until the deposition of the early Gondwanic cycle (Itararé Group). The literature suggests that some of those depositional cycles were influenced by episodes of terrane accretion during the amalgamation of the Gondwana Supercontinent. The paleo-topography generated by the Ocloyic orogeny (460-430 Ma) likely resulted in flexural subsidence in the lowermost stratigraphic cycles of the Paraná Basin. In response to dynamic topography, the forebulge probably shifted to a system dominated by long-wavelength propagation developed over a distance of more than 800 km, most likely due to the influence of the subducted oceanic lithosphere of Panthalassa. The presence of Ordovician sources in the pre-Carboniferous sequences supports a provenance of exhumed Famatinian magmatic arc and associated rocks given that Ordovician magmatic activity is not recorded anywhere else in the cratonic regions. Furthermore, important detrital zircon population yielding Cambrian ages, likely derived from Eastern Pampean Range. In additional, the gap between crystallization and depositional ages within the Paraná Basin supports a model that transitions from a collisional retro-foreland basin to a pericratonic syneclise after the deposition of the Paraná Group.

The low-grade basement at Península La Carmela, Chilean Patagonia: new data for unraveling the pre-Permian basin nature of the Eastern Andean Metamorphic Complex

The Eastern Andean Metamorphic Complex at Península La Carmela (48°50’S) consists of quartz-rich metaturbiditic sequences with tectonic slices of pillow metabasalt bodies deformed under low-grade metamorphic conditions. Previous and new detrital zircon U–Pb geochronological data from metasandstones indicate a preferred early Carboniferous maximum depositional age of the protolith, interpreted from the youngest single zircon grains of several metasedimentary rocks in the area. The wide spectrum of zircon ages from Península La Carmela, includes Neoproterozoic-early Paleozoic components and subordinate ancient zircon grains (> 2200 Ma). They were sourced from cratonic regions and/or reworked material from older metasedimentary successions and plutonic belts in southwestern Gondwana (e.g., North Patagonian and Deseado massifs or from the Tierra del Fuego Igneous and Metamorphic Complex). The pillow metabasalts have geochemical affinities of normal mid-oceanic ridge basalts and island-arc tholeiites with Nb–Ta negative anomalies, derived from a depleted mantle source (εNdt of + 6 and + 7.5). In consideration that pillow metabasalts with ocean island basalt affinities are reported, we propose that metaturbiditic successions and metabasalts were tectonically juxtaposed within a pre-Permian accretionary wedge of an active continental margin, after the development of island arcs and back-arc marginal basins.

Fuzzy AHP based GIS and remote sensing techniques for the groundwater potential zonation for Bundelkhand Craton Region, India

In this article, GIS, remote sensing (RS) and fuzzy AHP are used to develop a methodology to delineate the groundwater potential zones. GIS-RS technique is used to prepare the different thematic maps that influence the groundwater potentiality. Fuzzy AHP method is used to assign weights and fuzzy ratings to different thematic layers and their attributes classes, respectively. After assigning the weight and rating, Groundwater potential index is calculated by multiplying each thematic layer weights to its attribute class and adding all of them. Thus, the calculated groundwater potential index (GWPI) is used to classify the different groundwater potential zones. The groundwater in the study area is classified into five different classes such as very low (0.51% of total area), low (13.58%), moderate (61.25%), high (23.42%) and very high (1.24%). The delineated groundwater potential zone map is verified using the well depth data, obtained from the central groundwater board (CGWB), India.

Paleoseismology of the 2016 MW 6.1 Petermann earthquake source: Implications for intraplate earthquake behaviour and the geomorphic longevity of bedrock fault scarps in a low strain‐rate cratonic region

AbstractThe 20 May 2016 MW 6.1 Petermann earthquake in central Australia generated a 21 km surface rupture with 0.1 to 1 m vertical displacements across a low‐relief landscape. No paleo‐scarps or potentially analogous topographic features are evident in pre‐earthquake Worldview‐1 and Worldview‐2 satellite data. Two excavations across the surface rupture expose near‐surface fault geometry and mixed aeolian‐sheetwash sediment faulted only in the 2016 earthquake. A 10.6 ± 0.4 ka optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) age of sheetwash sediment provides a minimum estimate for the period of quiescence prior to 2016 rupture. Seven cosmogenic beryllium‐10 (10Be) bedrock erosion rates are derived for samples &lt; 5 km distance from the surface rupture on the hanging‐wall and foot‐wall, and three from samples 19 to 50 km from the surface rupture. No distinction is found between fault proximal rates (1.3 ± 0.1 to 2.6 ± 0.2 m Myr−1) and distal samples (1.4 ± 0.1 to 2.3 ± 0.2 m Myr−1). The thickness of rock fragments (2–5 cm) coseismically displaced in the Petermann earthquake perturbs the steady‐state bedrock erosion rate by only 1 to 3%, less than the erosion rate uncertainty estimated for each sample (7–12%). Using 10Be erosion rates and scarp height measurements we estimate approximately 0.5 to 1 Myr of differential erosion is required to return to pre‐earthquake topography. By inference any pre‐2016 fault‐related topography likely required a similar time for removal. We conclude that the Petermann earthquake was the first on this fault in the last ca. 0.5–1 Myr. Extrapolating single nuclide erosion rates across this timescale introduces large uncertainties, and we cannot resolve whether 2016 represents the first ever surface rupture on this fault, or a &gt; 1 Myr interseismic period. Either option reinforces the importance of including distributed earthquake sources in fault displacement and seismic hazard analyses.

Decratonization by rifting enables orogenic reworking and transcurrent dispersal of old terranes in NE Brazil

Dispersion and deformation of cratonic fragments within orogens require weakening of the craton margins in a process of decratonization. The orogenic Borborema Province, in NE Brazil, is one of several Brasiliano/Pan-African late Neoproterozoic orogens that led to the amalgamation of Gondwana. A common feature of these orogens is that a period of extension and opening of narrow oceans preceded inversion and collision. For the case of the Borborema Province, the São Francisco Craton was pulled away from its other half, the Benino-Nigerian Shield, during an intermittent extension event between 1.0–0.92 and 0.9–0.82 Ga. This was followed by inversion of an embryonic and confined oceanic basin at ca. 0.60 Ga and transpressional orogeny from ca. 0.59 Ga onwards. Here we investigate the boundary region between the north São Francisco Craton and the Borborema Province and demonstrate how cratonic blocks became physically involved in the orogeny. We combine these results with a wide compilation of U–Pb and Nd-isotopic model ages to show that the Borborema Province consists of up to 65% of strongly sheared ancient rocks affiliated with the São Francisco/Benino-Nigerian Craton, separated by major transcurrent shear zones, with only ≈ 15% addition of juvenile material during the Neoproterozoic orogeny. This evolution is repeated across a number of Brasiliano/Pan-African orogens, with significant local variations, and indicate that extension weakened cratonic regions in a process of decratonization that prepared them for involvement in the orogenies, that led to the amalgamation of Gondwana.

Contrasted Chemical Weathering Rates in Cratonic Basins: The Ogooué and Mbei Rivers, Western Central Africa

Despite the absence of tectonic activity, cratonic environments are characterized by strongly variable, and in places significant, rock weathering rates. This is shown here through an exploration of the weathering rates in two inter-tropical river basins from the Atlantic Central Africa: the Ogooué and Mbei River basins, Gabon. We analyzed the elemental and strontium isotope composition of 24 water samples collected throughout these basins. Based on the determination of the major element sources we estimate that the Ogooué and Mbei rivers total dissolved solids (TDS) mainly derive from silicate chemical weathering. The chemical composition of the dissolved load and the area-normalized solute fluxes at the outlet of the Ogooué are similar to those of other West African rivers (e.g., Niger, Nyong, or Congo). However, chemical weathering rates (TZsil+rate expressed as the release rate of the sum of cations by silicate chemical weathering) span the entire range of chemical weathering intensities hitherto recorded in worldwide cratonic environments. In the Ogooué-Mbei systems, three regions can be distinguished: (i) the Eastern sub-basins draining the Plateaux Batéké underlain by quartz-rich sandstones exhibit the lowestTZsil+rates, (ii) the Northern sub-basins and the Mbei sub-basins, which drain the southern edge of the tectonically quiescent South Cameroon Plateau, show intermediateTZsil+rates and (iii) the Southern sub-basins characterized by steeper slopes record the highestTZsil+rates. In region (ii), higher DOC concentrations are associated with enrichment of elements expected to form insoluble hydrolysates in natural waters (e.g., Fe, Al, Th, REEs) suggesting enhanced transport of these elements in the colloidal phase. In region (iii), we suggest that a combination of mantle-induced dynamic uplift and lithospheric destabilization affecting the rim of the Congo Cuvette induces slow base level lowering thereby enhancing soil erosion, exhumation of fresh primary minerals, and thus weathering rates. The study points out that erosion of lateritic covers in cratonic areas can significantly enhance chemical weathering rates by bringing fresh minerals in contact with meteoric water. The heterogeneity of weathering rates amongst cratonic regions thus need to be considered for reconstructing the global, long-term carbon cycle and its control on Earth climate.

Re-assessment of the depth to the base of magnetic sources (DBMS) in Australia from aeromagnetic data using the defractal method

SUMMARY Australia and North America are the only two continent-wide regions, currently, with the complete wavelength spectrum of magnetic anomalies that can address the much-debated issue of the existence and understanding the magnetic state of the upper mantle. The depth to the base of magnetic sources (DBMS) has been extensively investigated in Australia in previous studies, yielding differing DBMS estimates across the continent. In this contribution, we re-assess the DBMS in Australia from aeromagnetic data using the defractal method, which simultaneously estimates the DBMS and the fractal parameter of the magnetic field. We test the effect of window size on DBMS estimates for the defractal method and conclude that a window size 10 times the expected DBMS is required for the defractal method. We also demonstrate the dependence of derived spectral slopes (and thereby depths) on the size of window by comparing spectral slopes obtained from window sizes up to 1000 km. Our analysis yields DBMS estimates between 25 and 60 km over Australia and are complexly related to temperature structure, magnetic mineralogy and petrology and geological history. Deeper DBMS estimates (∼55–60 km) are obtained for the Yilgarn Craton (West Australian Craton) and the Gawler Craton (South Australian Craton). These estimates are significantly deeper than the Moho, suggesting the uppermost mantle is ferromagnetic for these cold and old cratonic regions. Shallower DBMSs of 25–35 km are obtained in the Pilbara Craton, the eastern and southern part of the Delamerian Orogen, the northwestern part of the Canning Basin, Officer, Cooper and Georgina Basins and the Tasmanides. The areas of shallower DBMS are positively correlated with high heat flow in the regions. On the other hand, regions of large concentrations of radiogenic elements associated with the major metallogenic deposits have high heat flow arising from the radiogenic heat, but deeper DBMSs, for example the eastern margin of the Gawler Craton covered by Neoproterozoic Adelaide Rift Complex, the McArthur Basin, the Pine Creek Inlier.

Oil maturities, mixing and charging episodes in the cratonic regions of the Tarim Basin, NW China: Insight from biomarker and diamondoid concentrations and oil bulk properties

Quantitative GC-MS analysis was performed on 138 oils from the cratonic regions of the Tarim Basin, northwestern China. Crossplots of (1) biomarker concentrations versus maturity ratios, (2) diamondoid concentrations versus sterane concentrations, (3) ratios of (Pr + Ph)/(n-C17+n-C18), and (4) Σn-C15–35/Σn-C9–14, were constructed and compared with oil densities, GOR and gas dryness. The results clearly show oil mixing resulting from a very complex charging history. At least four oil/gas charging episodes can be identified. One episode is represented by oils which have relatively high biomarker concentrations with maturity ratios suggesting an early to middle oil window source. There is second charge resulting in intermediate to low biomarker concentrations in many of the oils indicating a charge generated in the mid-to late-oil window. The third charge can be seen in oils in which biomarkers are absent indicating that they were sourced at late oil to wet gas levels of thermal maturity. Finally, the fourth charge is indicated by the high diamondoid concentrations in virtually every oil in this study. This charge was generated from very deeply buried source rocks at dry gas levels of thermal maturity where extensive oil to gas cracking has taken place. The fact that the oils show varying concentrations of biomarkers from low to high and yet similar low-maturity biomarker ratios suggests oil mixing to various extents, in which the biomarkers are predominantly derived from the least mature source, but they are differentially diluted by higher-maturity liquids poor in biomarkers. Furthermore, the deep charge represented by the high diamondoids concentrations is present in virtually every sample. Our results suggest that the oils in this study are all mixtures containing varying percentages of components derived from these four charges.

Extracting Structural Information from a Satellite Image in a Cratonic Region: A Structural Geologist’s Perspective

Extracting Structural Information from a Satellite Image in a Cratonic Region: A Structural Geologist’s Perspective

A ground motion logic tree for seismic hazard analysis in the stable cratonic region of Europe: regionalisation, model selection and development of a scaled backbone approach

Regions of low seismicity present a particular challenge for probabilistic seismic hazard analysis when identifying suitable ground motion models (GMMs) and quantifying their epistemic uncertainty. The 2020 European Seismic Hazard Model adopts a scaled backbone approach to characterise this uncertainty for shallow seismicity in Europe, incorporating region-to-region source and attenuation variability based on European strong motion data. This approach, however, may not be suited to stable cratonic region of northeastern Europe (encompassing Finland, Sweden and the Baltic countries), where exploration of various global geophysical datasets reveals that its crustal properties are distinctly different from the rest of Europe, and are instead more closely represented by those of the Central and Eastern United States. Building upon the suite of models developed by the recent NGA East project, we construct a new scaled backbone ground motion model and calibrate its corresponding epistemic uncertainties. The resulting logic tree is shown to provide comparable hazard outcomes to the epistemic uncertainty modelling strategy adopted for the Eastern United States, despite the different approaches taken. Comparison with previous GMM selections for northeastern Europe, however, highlights key differences in short period accelerations resulting from new assumptions regarding the characteristics of the reference rock and its influence on site amplification.

Gravity derived crustal thickness model of Botswana: Its implication for the Mw 6.5 April 3, 2017, Botswana earthquake

Botswana experienced a Mw 6.5 earthquake on 3rd April 2017, the second largest earthquake event in Botswana's recorded history. This earthquake occurred within the Limpopo-Shashe Belt, ~350 km southeast of the seismically active Okavango Rift Zone. The region has no historical record of large magnitude earthquakes or active faults. The occurrence of this earthquake was unexpected and underscores our limited understanding of the crustal configuration of Botswana and highlight that neotectonic activity is not only confined to the Okavango Rift Zone. To address this knowledge gap, we applied a regularized inversion algorithm to the Bouguer gravity data to construct a high-resolution crustal thickness map of Botswana. The produced crustal thickness map shows a thinner crust (35–40 km) underlying the Okavango Rift Zone and sedimentary basins, whereas thicker crust (41–46 km) underlies the cratonic regions and orogenic belts. Our results also show localized zone of relatively thinner crust (~40 km), one of which is located along the edge of the Kaapvaal Craton within the MW 6.5 Botswana earthquake region. Based on our result, we propose a mechanism of the Botswana Earthquake that integrates crustal thickness information with elevated heat flow as the result of the thermal fluid from East African Rift System, and extensional forces predicted by the local stress regime. The epicentral region is therefore suggested to be a possible area of tectonic reactivation, which is caused by multiple factors that could lead to future intraplate earthquakes in this region.

Seismological evidence for thermo-chemical heterogeneity in Earth's continental mantle

Earth's thermo-chemical structure exerts a fundamental control on mantle convection, plate tectonics, and surface volcanism. There are indications that mantle convection occurs as an intermittent-stage process between layered and whole mantle convection in interaction with a compositional stratification at 660 km depth. However, the presence and possible role of any compositional layering in the mantle remains to be ascertained and understood. By interfacing inversion of a novel global seismic data set with petrologic phase equilibrium calculations, we show that a compositional boundary is not required to explain short- and long-period seismic data sensitive to the upper mantle and transition zone beneath stable continental regions; yet, radial enrichment in basaltic material reproduces part of the complexity present in the data recorded near subduction zones and volcanically active regions. Our findings further indicate that: 1) cratonic regions are characterized by low mantle potential temperatures and significant lateral variability in mantle composition; and 2) chemical equilibration seems more difficult to achieve beneath stable cratonic regions. These findings suggest that the lithologic integrity of the subducted basalt and harzburgite may be better preserved for geologically significant times underneath cratonic regions.

Contrasting types of micaceous kimberlite-lamproite magmatism from the Man Craton (West Africa): New insights from petrography and mineral chemistry

Diamondiferous rock types worldwide are broadly divided into kimberlite and lamproite, the latter of which have unique characteristics in different regions and include carbonate-rich varieties (formerly orangeites/Group II kimberlites). Diamondiferous rocks in West Africa are typically micaceous and share petrographic, mineralogical, and geochemical characteristics with both kimberlites and lamproites. To further constrain the classification and petrogenesis of diamondiferous rocks worldwide and their variability between different cratonic regions, in this study we combine detailed petrographic observations with olivine, phlogopite, and spinel chemistry for hypabyssal samples from the Jurassic Tongo dike (Sierra Leone) and the Neoproterozoic Weasua cluster (Liberia).The Tongo dike contains macrocrysts of olivine and phlogopite in a groundmass of olivine, abundant phlogopite, spinel, perovskite, and apatite with a base of calcite, dolomite, and lesser serpentine. The phlogopite is characterised by concurrent FeO and Al2O3 enrichment, which is typical of kimberlites and unlike lamproites. These features and the kimberlite-like spinel compositions allow us to classify the Tongo samples as micaceous kimberlites. The Weasua rocks comprise macrocrysts of olivine in a groundmass of olivine, phlogopite, diopside (zoned towards aegirine-rich rims), spinel, perovskite, and apatite with a base of serpentine and less common calcite. The composition of Weasua phlogopite trends to significant FeO enrichment and Al2O3 depletion, i.e. towards tetraferriphlogopite. The enrichment in mica, phlogopite chemistry and presence of magmatic diopside indicates that these rocks are olivine lamproites.The populations of olivine macrocrysts and microcrysts at Tongo and Weasua are similar and characterised by distinct core and rim zones. Two distinct olivine core populations are observed. 1) forsterite-rich (Fo > 90) olivine interpreted to reflect xenocrysts from typical mantle peridotites. Al-in-olivine thermometry suggests that these cores have P-T equilibration within diamond stability at Weasua and Tongo. 2) Al-, Ca- and Na- rich cores with P-T formation conditions extending beyond the mantle adiabat. These cores are interpreted to reflect metasomatic and thermal perturbation linked with the infiltration of kimberlite/lamproite melts in the deep lithosphere shortly before entrainment in the ascending magma. The olivine rims at Tongo and Weasua show limited variations in Fo contents at similar values of 88.9 ± 0.8 for Tongo and 89.6 ± 1.2 for Weasua, as well as similar minor and trace element concentrations. Thus, whereas the Tongo and Weasua rock types are classified as kimberlite and olivine lamproite, respectively, the olivine chemistry suggests a similar petrogenetic evolution.

Erratum: Lithospheric structure beneath the central and western North China Craton and adjacent regions from S-receiver function imaging

Erratum: Lithospheric structure beneath the central and western North China Craton and adjacent regions from S-receiver function imaging